In November 2017 the House of Commons debated a private members’ bill on reducing the UK voting age to 16.The quality of the debate, however, was disappointing and failed to engage with the range of research conducted recently on the topic. Many proponents brought normative points forward about young people’s engagement and the responsibilities they otherwise have. While … [Read more...] about Scotland’s 16-17 year-olds enjoy democracy
Holyrood 2016
Scotland’s fiscal hole could deepen post-Brexit
What does the Brexit vote mean for the Scottish Government’s budget?In the short-term, (i.e. until the UK formally leaves the EU), the answer essentially depends on two things. First, how much the UK fiscal outlook worsens as a result of the subsequent economic uncertainty. Second, how the UK Government decides to react to this. In the longer term, the arrangement that the … [Read more...] about Scotland’s fiscal hole could deepen post-Brexit
The decline of Scottish media and political scrutiny
Changes in the way we stay in touch with our world over the last 25 years have been awesome. But to go with the awe, there must also be shock that so little heed is paid to the massive social repercussions of the digital revolution.In the early 1990s,when the internet and mobile phones had yet to achieve lift-off, online news, opinion and knowledge was a theoretical … [Read more...] about The decline of Scottish media and political scrutiny
Toxic Tories kept in the attic
The Scottish Conservatives are smiling and with good reason. The party’s share of the vote rose by 8.1% to 22% across Scotland’s 73 constituencies and by 10.6% to 22.9% across its regions. Over half a million voters turned out to make the Tories Scotland’s second party at Holyrood.A comparison with the SNP’s performance in 2003, the election before it took power at … [Read more...] about Toxic Tories kept in the attic
Forget identity politics but #Indyref2 is coming
It did not take long for political parties and commentators to start making confident pronouncements about what the Scottish election result means for the future of the union.Equal first prize must go to the Scottish Conservatives and the Scottish National Party. Ruth Davidson and her fellow Conservatives are arguing that commanding 24% of Holyrood seats gives them a … [Read more...] about Forget identity politics but #Indyref2 is coming